Life expectancy gap widens to ‘shocking’ levels in London

In the most affluent areas of Westminster life expectancy for is 93.76 years for women and 91.26 years for men (Picture: Getty)

The average life expectancy of people living in some of London’s most affluent boroughs could hit 100 in 20 years’ time, a report has revealed.

But as the residents of swanky addresses continue to prosper they could live up to 25 years longer than those living in deprived communities, according to Prof Sir Michael Marmot, director of the Institute of Health Equity at University College London.

He said ‘much more needs to be done’ to tackle the ‘shocking’ life expectancy gap in the capital.

‘The best life expectancy in London is better than the average in Japan, which has the highest in the world, and the worst compares to Guatemala,’ he told the Evening Standard.

His last report published four years ago linked longevity to poor diet, housing, education and employment.

In the most affluent areas of Westminster life expectancy for women is 93.76 years on average and 91.26 for men.

The lowest female life expectancy in the capital was found in Nunhead, Southwark, where women live until they are 76.3 years on average while men have a life expectancy of 71.

Over the last decade life expectancy at birth in London increased by 3.9 years for males and by three years for females – raising the prospect that people living in some of the wealthiest areas could reach 100 within 20 years.